Does anyone have a Borador?

[Swifey40]

And if so, what are they like? Thinking about getting two once our two Parson Russells have gone, but don't know anyone in real life who has one.

[IceRebel]

Firstly getting 2 of any dog at the same time is usually a recipe for disaster, even more so if you're thinking of getting puppies.

Secondly what draws you to a Labrador / border collie mix? It sounds like a dog which would require a lot of stimulation, and would be a walking dustbin.

[gettingtherequickly]

Wow, that's got the makings of a seriously high maintenance dog. Is it bred for a purpose or for the looks? Or is it an accident? Genuine question, I've not heard of that blend of cross breed before, but could see it happening by accident in farm dogs.

[Swifey40]

I suppose we've always had two at a time, so just natural really. Always had terrier type dogs and want something bigger and not so 'terriery' if that makes sense. Have had a rescue collie in the past and absolutely adored her too. I'm open to ideas though.

[Swifey40]

Has to be good with children, as we have two ds who are 7 and 4.

[Swifey40]

That's a point, I work from home but do have to go out so they will be left. Our terriers are happy to be left for long periods of time, they just sleep.

[gettingtherequickly]

Have you looked at getting a couple of rescues, sometimes they have dogs brought in together who need to stay together (usually due to family break up or death sadly).

[Nanasueathome]

What breed of dog is a Borador?
Never heard of it, sorry

[fivedogstofeed]

Is that a lab x collie? very common in rescue but now given a made up name to sell for ££

[gettingtherequickly]

Sorry, I bang on about this a lot, but retired greyhounds are always good for people who have to go out and leave a dog.
They retire really early (some as early as 2 or 3 years old), and are brilliant with people, including kids.

[GlitterPixie]

quickly googles Borador I’d imagine that is a fairly high maintenance dog. Also at least half the pups in our local rescue look like ‘boradors’

[MattMagnolia]

I thought that meant a Border terrier crossed with a Labrador. I wondered how!

[Ploppymoodypants]

We have a lab x border collie. I love him lots but he is a seriously high maintenance PITA.
Needs so much stimulation. 2 x hour long walks a day are no where near enough. He needs to go to work with DH (outdoor job) and be free of a lead all day sniffing about and have extra jobs / stimulation. He is also highly sensitive/anxious and hates being left. Howls. Really high herding instinct, will heard children in the park or anything really. And nip if they don’t do it. Also high fetch instinct too. Loves balls. He is a large over excitable barky smelly git.

On the plus side, he is very clever, and highly trainable. His recall is 100% and I completely trust him off lead to never disappear and come when called (I know people say you should never trust 100% but he has never not come in 12 years). He is also extremely loyal and very loving, and kind to cats and guinea pigs and has been our most best friend for over 12 years. We will be devastated to lose him, which is going to be soon as his arthritis is bad. But Would I get another? Never.

Looking at whippets, greyhounds or a terrier. Have experience of them all.

[Ploppymoodypants]

Mine is rubbish with kids. He is too sensitive and he finds them unpredictable and he would nip if they didn’t do what he expected.

[adaline]

Goodness me, that's going to be one high-maintenance breed!

Labradors are mouthy as puppies, as well as boisterous and high energy - and the teenage phase lasts until they're at least 2-3 years old. They're relatively easy to train but I've never met one that doesn't nip or mouth when young.

Borders are a herding breed and are prone to nipping ankles to "herd" children. Again they're easily trainable but very energetic too.

Both dogs need a LOT of exercise and also a fair amount of stimulation to be calm as adults. Can you really cope with a mix of both? Big dogs can't be walked much as puppies either as they have delicate joints until fully grown - which restricts your options somewhat.

My concerns would be as follows - what kind of person is producing such a high energy cross-breed? Why on earth would you want two dogs at the same time - have you read up on littermate syndrome? Even if you just end up with one, do you really have the time and energy to walk such an high-needs dog with young children? My friends with labs and collies are out with them 2-3 times a day as a minimum - is that doable when you work and have small children and all that entails?

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

I thought that meant a Border terrier crossed with a Labrador. I wondered how!
Never underestimate the sheer bloody-minded determination of a terrier

[Bookworm4]

Jeezo, that’s ridiculous a borador!
Plenty lovely dogs in rescue of all shapes, sizes, ages.

[creativeusername]

We have a 1 year old Borador. She is lovely. We have 2 children (aged 2 and 3 when we got her) and she is fantastic with them. I'm fairly sure she thinks they are naked puppies

She loves a run around but copes with missing a walk or 2 when life gets busy or the weather is horrid (too hot or too cold) as long as she gets some playtime.

She has been really easy to train. Sit, stay, recall, fetch, toilets on command in a specific point in the garden (didn't want kids treading in poo while playing) etc

As far as chewing - she destroys any toy she's given. Even the indestructible kong toys are gone in minutes, so we get her big meat bones instead. She has chewed a couple of the kids toys in the last year but that's our fault as she was left unsupervised and a bit bored.

We only paid £150 for her as well. Would get 5 more if we had the time/space/money

[applesauce1]

Our lab x collie cross (we rescued her when she was 4mo and was definitely not a designer breed) passed away last year. What an amazing 24 years we had with her. She had the appetite of a collie, was extremely easy to train, could walk for miles and miles if you wanted to, but was equally satisfied with x2 half hour walks. She was laid back, affectionate, intelligent and beautiful.

She was terrible with very young children, not great with other dogs and always barked for ages when a new person arrived at the house. I'm not sure how much of those behaviours were a result of her being a rescue.

[gettingtherequickly]

She's gorgeous apple

[Bonkersblond]

Mattmagnolia I clicked on this link thing the same thing😂

[Bonkersblond]

Thing = thinking

[Swifey40]

Well I think the majority of you have made my mind up, that they are probably too much for us, sonic that's the case.... what would you recommend? I think we are looking for something that doesn't shed too much, good recall, not a spaniel, intelligent and medium sized. Any ideas?

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

I'd say a lab, but they probably shed too much for you. Lab x German pointer, maybe, but they're a bit thin on the ground.

Why not a spaniel? Springer spaniels are the right sort of size for you, clever and responsive, and can make excellent family dogs.

[adaline]

The main question is this - how much time do you have? How long are you prepared to spend walking the dog? Do you work? How long will they be left alone?

[gettingtherequickly]

Greyhounds, don't shed, don't smell at all doggy, but I wouldn't trust one on recall.
Are you absolutely set on a puppy? I've only ever had one dog from a pup and never again!